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Welcome to BZPower!

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What is the official BZPower Role-Playing Game about, exactly? Well, that is for you to decide! In the BZPRPG you take on the persona of a character of your choice, and then what happens from there is your decision! Get a job as a freelancer, trader, hero or one of many other choices. Save villages and defeat your enemies -- the chances are endless! Joining the BZPRPG is exceptionally simple: just post a description of your character here. No approval is required; simple post a profile and start playing in any of the regional topics listed here.

Please take all personal disputes and conversations to PM, and if the situation cannot be resolved that way, talk to one of the Hosts or other BZPRPG staff members about the problem. These kinds of disputes are not to be had in the General Discussion topic.

Do not insult other members.

Though we are generally more lenient in the BZPRPG when it comes to PG-13 rated content than BZPower at large, please use common sense and remember that many of BZPower's visitors and members are minors. If your post contains inappropriate content or circumvents the word filter, we will ask you to edit the offending section out, or do it ourselves. If you are concerned that your post may be inappropriate, feel free to run it by a BZPRPG staffer before you publish it.

The BZPRPG is a constantly evolving story written by the players, not a video game. You cannot win, nor can you lose.

You must put "IC:" at the beginning of all role-playing posts. This is so that players recognize that you are posting as your character and adding to the story. IC stands for "in character".

Conversely, you must put "OOC:" at the beginning of all parts of posts that do not have game content in them. This is called "out of character" and it is what OOC stands for. Keep OOC content to a minimum in role-playing posts and instead use the General Discussion topic for OOC matters.

You are allowed to double-post in gameplay topics. However, you must wait twelve hours before doing this, so that others have the chance to post a response. The maximum number of posts you can make in a row this way is three.

God-modding and other overpowered play is not allowed. (See section on God-modding)

Adhere to basic science, such as gravity, inertia, and nature. Your character cannot bend the rules of the universe to better suit them. Logic and reason come first.

Objects do not and cannot appear from thin air. You must describe how an object came into your player's possession before they can have it.

Although the BZPRPG is a game founded in many parts of the BIONICLE canon, there are parts of the canon that the game discards or ignores. Unless something from the BIONICLE canon is acknowledged by a staff source to exist in the BZPRPG, it cannot be assumed to exist in the BZPRPG universe.

III. Character Rules

Player Characters (PC's) must adhere to all trait-related guidelines as posted in the Profiles topic unless otherwise stated by staff.

It is required for your character to have one or more weaknesses. Invincibility is illegal.

In PC versus PC combat, it is extremely discouraged to be unhittable. Dodging every attack thrown at you is a form of God-modding. (See section on God-modding)

A character's weapons, technological items, mask, and other important belongings of theirs are regarded as extensions of their body. As such, a character's important possessions may not be taken, destroyed, or otherwise affected without the permission of the character's player. Actions which affect a character's possessions without explicitly given permission are autohits.

PC traits should only be acquired or altered through IC play.

Do not play as another player's character unless that player has given you explicit permission to do so. Likewise, you cannot kill or seriously injure another character without that player's permission.

Non-Player Characters (NPC's) are legal to use in your posts. However, recurring NPC's such as personal bodyguards, armies, servants, etc. are not allowed.

NPCs may be killed without permission from a player, seeing as they do not belong to a player. However, it is recommended that you bear in mind that NPCs are people too, and take just as much effort to kill as any other characters.

IV. God-Modding RulesGod-modding is when your player is performing with unnatural and illegal amounts of power and/or invincibility. The below are forms of GMing which are not allowed:

Deus Ex Machina's (an unrealistic or improbable way of getting your characters out of a bad situation) are not allowed.

Auto-hitting (throwing an attack at an enemy character and not allowing them to respond) is not allowed.

Using powers in battle that are not predefined in one's profile is not allowed.

If someone hits you where it hurts, then be hurt. Disregarding your weaknesses is not allowed.

You may not use information gathered OOC in IC posts. This includes details of other players' profiles - otherwise known as "Metagaming" or "Breaking the fourth wall".

Editing your character's traits directly before a fight in order to make them more suited to that fight is a form of GMing.

V. Staff

Respect all staff members.

Respect all staff judgment calls and punishments.

Staff members reserve the right to do whatever they want to your characters in the IC world as a form of punishment. These punishments are non-negotiable, and a disregard for staff decisions and/or punishments IC will be dealt with severely.

Do not act like you're staff if you aren't. Backseat moderating isn't helpful to us in running the game. Friendly, helpful tips to other members, however, are welcomed.

THE THREE-STRIKE SYSTEMAs of this year, the staff has decided to employ a three-strike system in order to deal with repeated rule breaking and other severe infractions. Should a player do so to a degree deemed serious by staff, that member will receive a strike. The strikes are here listed with consequences:

Strike One: Official warning from a staff member.

Strike Two: Temporary suspension. You are not allowed to post in any BZPRPG topics for an amount of time decided by the staff member giving the suspension.

Strike Three: Permanent banning from the BZPRPG.

Only Nuju Metru can issue third strikes to members. All BZPRPG staff can give first and second strikes. Please understand that these strikes are to be taken with the utmost gravity.

Please do not post here. Use the Discussion Topic. This topic is only to be used by BZPRPG Staff for updates and rules.

Edited by GSR, Dec 24 2014 - 06:19 PM.

6

Living large... likeclown-shoesize large. Complete with nose, rainbow-coloredhair, and a bottle ofseltzer water.

Wondering what's the best food in Le-Koro? Searching for the best smith in Ta-Koro? Or are you just looking for a place to bunk for the night? The following is a list of player-run and operated establishments and their locations, along with who runs them and a brief description.

"Ogeka Tech"
Sells some minor weapons, transport, mostly anything mechanicalLocation:Po-Koro BazaarOwner: Ogeka, a Po-MatoranPlayer: ClickDescription: On the outside it looks mostly like a normal Po-Koro semi-spherical hut, but the inside has been filled with "modifications" by Ogeka including various apparatus that help him create

Location:Onu-KoroOwners: Toa Akiru
-(Miraul, Buisness Management, Ranged & General Weapons Expert)
-(Vilak, Master Swordsman, Welding and Precision Plasma Cutting)
-(Divan, Metalworker)
-(Axana, Blacksmith, Electrician [eventually])
-(Hikari, Crystal Expert)
-(Takamaz, Welding and Engineering)Player: Tabby: Toa of CatsDescription: The Matoran word Akiru is an old one that means "Master Craftsmen", and the name is aptly fitting for the Toa team that runs this engineering business. They currently specialize in the creation of all things metallic and crystalline, so Hikari and Divan are very busy. They both keep items in stock, and also make them to order. Takamaz and the others will engineer to meet the needs of clients where required. The Toa Akiru are always happy to expand their inventory and skill sets, however, so check back regularly for new developments and products.

Bookstore:

"The Wise Man's Archive - Library and Book Store"Books, tablets, scrolls, paper, writing utensils, and reading lights!Location: Onu-Koro, Ko-KoroOwners:Onu-Koro: Demos Etonae (Franchise Manager. Does not operate the front desk.)Ko-Koro:Elder Ko-Matoran Priicu (Store manager)Player: DraezethDescription: Both buildings are a three-story library, though the top floor is Demos's residence and off-limits. The other two floors are lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves containing books, tablets and scrolls. Paper, utensils and reading lights are purchasable, with a few on display, at the front desk, which is usually operated by two Matoran. The shop was recently purchased by Demos, who now gets his income from it. Often imports books from other villages. Does not deliver outside of Onu-Koro.

The inside is brightly lit by lightstones in the ceiling and in the corners of partitioned reading areas. Reading a book within the library without purchasing is allowed, though only for an hour before you have to pay 5wi per half-hour afterwards. Book prices vary depending on the book.

"The Crucible"
Mead hall, training area, winery, brewery.Location: Lush fields outside Ga-KoroOwner: Xilecki, Toa of AirPlayer: Ilyusha BlokfaseDescription: When traveling the outskirts of the Koro, if you find the grapes, grains, and beehives, there'll be a long, squat mead hall nearby, with added wings consisting of an armory and all the necessary items for a winery and brewery; in the smaller yard is a large wine press, the larger is a courtyard wrapped in a fence forming an almost-complete ring, extending from either side of the main hall's entrance.

"The fish you eat today swam last night in Naho Bay - We should know, we killed it."

"The Dal Riata"
Tavern/Inn

Location: Po-Koro

Owners: ???

Player: MjonirlnTheFridge

"For the strongest booze and the softest beds, stop by the Dal Riata in Po-Koro. If you've got coin, we've got accommodations!"

(We also accept dirty secrets as payment)

"The Magmatide Inn"
Discrete InnLocation: Seedy side of Ta-KoroOwner: Caalus (conspicuously absent almost always, seems to always be manned by Denrika, the receptionist)Player: Keeper of KraataDescription: A small in relying on it's policy of no questions, no trouble. Has 8 rooms of varying size, with only 2 suitable for non-matoran with toa-sized beds. Guards have been known to raid the building if Denrika notices any trouble.

"Just the right inventors for all types of machines and unique hand-crafted weapons. We also service existing machines as well as offer armor restoration. Wood and metal objects are our specialty. Inquire inside!"

"Want to learn how to handle a weapon? Or how to fight like a champ? Then drop by Le-Koro Fitness Center for a workout or two"

>Minor Koros<

"Pala-Koro"
Settlement/FortressLocation: Lake Pala, Le-Wahi.Owner: The Island Liberation FrontPlayer: BenLuke, TX Wade, Element Ussal, et cetera.
Situated on in a large clearing on the south coast of Lake Pala, Pala-Koro is one of largest of the smaller villages that have sprung up in the shadows of the six great Koros. It was build in the weeks leading up to the joint ILF/Koro guard's assault on the Nui-Rama hive, and later almost leveled by an attack of the Followers of Makuta, but has now been mostly rebuild. Main features include a metal and stone wall that surrounds a series of huts and the Sanctum Only, the bar and grill that also serves as a makeshift HQ.

Edited by GSR, Dec 23 2014 - 04:29 PM.

3

Living large... likeclown-shoesize large. Complete with nose, rainbow-coloredhair, and a bottle ofseltzer water.

Friar Tucks Guide to Common Sense in the Bzprpg
I'm sure you heard the phrase not-so-common sense? Well, its true in all counts, the Bzprpg included. Here I attempt to shed light on the conundrums and proper etiquette of the Bzprpg in a humorous and tactful manner, since many of the below topics can be hot-button ones indeed. While not a set of rules in which if you break I will come and break a finger, leg, or other vital body part, these guidelines are the lines between the lines, what makes this game authentic and realistic, keeping fun for everyone so follow them well or Ill slap you silly So without further ado:

-Common Sense dictates that:-You are not infinitely superior to NPCs
We start with a sticker-shock; Surprise! While having many superior qualities over a common NPC, you indeed are much closer to its level than you think. The argument to this is "Hey, but I have super-powers! Robbing banks are a walk in the park!" Very true. But may I point out that in this world the bar is raised, and in fact almost everyone in this realm has super powers as well. You are indeed unique just like everyone one. Cliché, but true. You may be a icegun-wielding, impact-vision savvy Skakdi, but those pair of Toa guards have their own set of cool powers, and probably have just as much experience OR MORE than you do, since its their job to prevent people just like you from breaking and entering. From this point of view, the playing field is actually very even, and in fact you only have a few advantages over the common NPC, which brings us to our second point in our NPC discussion

-Common Sense dictates that:-Killable does NOT equal easy target
Are guards in real life standing sacks of meat with a note taped to their forehead Kill me!? No. They are highly-trained, alert people who are formidable opponents, getting tougher the more important object they guard. You are (more or less) immortal, something your NPC friend is not; but when did that mean that you can walk all over him? When was the last time you witnessed a swordsman run into the Smithsonian, and in a matter of moments decapitate all the guards and deactivate the security system? Only in movies, and that is simply for entertainment sake, not when interaction with others. NPCs are generally highly-trained protectors or soldiers who could more than match wits and powers with you. The largest difference is that you have a human conscience at all times; they do not. Tossing them aside as if they are dolls is just not realistic. And remember: since everyone is super-powered, no one is.

-Common Sense dictates that:-Fortresses and/or Lairs are tough nuts to crack
Your home is your castle, or so the saying goes. Not here! Welcome to the Bzprpg, where the word "Fortress" actually means sitting duck. In this game forts, Koro, lairs, even hidden and sealed compartments are a big open houses, to which any Joe Shmo has free access and reign, without the hindrances of having to deal with location, defenders, or other defensive mechanisms. Did I also mention that there is also always a map prominently placed so that the infiltrators know the location of every important circuit in the place?

Ah, no.

When was the last time you saw even an attempt at Fort Knox? Believe me, in this game there are places even sealed up tighter than that. People cannot simply walk into a secure location without a very good explanation, and unfortunately, that is a rarity. Seriously, it is. Usually a place like that has more tricks and traps than a professional magician, and that is not counting the NPC defenders (see above). Even open locations are not easy targets; in fact, it can be argued its actually more difficult in some respects. Case in point: which would be more difficult to sneak a weapon into? A warehouse complex that is locked, with one or two night guards, or an open building with only one or two entrances, with several alert security guards and a metal detector on the other side?

-Common Sense dictates that:-Teleportation powers do NOT equal a free pass!
A personal favorite of many, and a personal gripe for everyone else. This makes the Top Five easily. Its one thing to move quickly from one location to another, or shot jaunts between buildings, or even messing with the head of an opponent during battle. This however DOES NOT give you the right to hit and run secure locations. Is it fair that one person (probably staff), who has spent a lot of time, effort, and time working on this, when all it takes is one person who can teleport a squad of crazies to go "Lets blow something up! *zap* Oooohh! Look! Main control center! Mines! Guns! Grenades! Explosives! C4! Grandmas Fruit Cake! *bing bang boom* Uh-oh! Its gonna collapse! Bye!" *zap* This goes in conjunction with lair invasions above. How in the world did you know where the main controls were anyway? Armory? Database? Kitchen for snacks on the way out? Are you aware that you also disregarded everything that has been previously discussed including the victims privacy? This leads to the next point:

-Common Sense dictates that:-There is NO such thing as instantaneous and omniscient intel
Unless you have taken the grand tour, or have managed to steal a current blueprint of a building, how to you know that the room isn't a wall? Or a vat of toxic liquid verses a laboratory? Perhaps its the vicious animal pen than the armory? How do you know you're gonna appear in the library? You could just as well imprison yourself in the brig for all you know.

-Common Sense dictates that:-You are NOT made of Teflon, or any other impervious substance
Unless you have some power over reality that we have yet to know about, things stick to you. Like injuries. Disks. Arrows. Flying pieces of debris. Stickers. Plasma grenades. While you may have armor, the rest of you is soft, mushy, and susceptible to physical damage. In fact, armor does indeed bend, get punctured, ripped apart even! Yes! It can be damaged too. Which means you cannot be fighting your arc-foe and when he decides to set off pre-placed explosives that can rip apart reinforced metal and concrete structures, stand unscathed. Somewhere between the concussion blast, heat, and the raining debris, you will most likely have more bruises, burns, and otherwise puncture wounds than your aunt's pincushion. Generally you are bleeding profusely, half-crushed under a ceiling section, and not mentally sound due to the high-decibel event. When you get shot at, you get hit; you are not intangible and your pursuers are not terrible shots. When you get slashed at, you generally don't feel too hot. If this were real, hospitals would cease to exist due to the mysterious, chronic, and suspicious lack of bodily injuries.

-Common Sense dictates that:-Insta-Items DONT exist
Sorry, but bottomless pockets don't exist, nor can you conjure up any item or amount of widgets you need; endless Mary Poppins bag for small objects do not exist! I'm not talking about a procuring a disk launcher, gukko harness, or those new drapes; stuff like that can be purchased at your local trader or black market stand. I'm talking about endless ammo clips, always seeming to have a lock-pick, or that sword you lost last week with your fight with your arch-foe magically back inside it's sheath. You simply cannot carry everything with you, nor can you prepare for everything... so that means you must either do without, buy it, or try to find a substitute.

-Common Sense dictates that:-The laws of Logic, Physics, and Thermodynamics apply to EVERYONE
Yes they do! Its what makes the world go round, and YOU, my friend, are part of that world; THEREFORE, they must apply to you. Welcome to Logic 101, a place that allows one to think critically, solve problems, and make sense of the world around him. While this is indeed a large and umbrella statement, it needs to be said, and said again. There are rules that govern movements, both physically and energetically, to which breaching those is considered bad not to mention the universal consequences. So the next time you jump off a high building, get caught in an explosion, mastermind a plot, or just pull off a fantastic feat in battle, just ask yourself: Is this Logically or Physically impossible? Also, as a side note, you can be bested in a battle of brains! Yes, if someone has superior logic, they tend to win despite all your powerful brawny prowess. A well-thought plan can usually defeat any opponent, even those that are ten times stronger or have ten times the troops. The most important muscle in the body is the brain; it can be very useful.

-Common Sense dictates that:-Plans are NOT perfect!
The second extension of the Physics/Logic conundrum. While plans are good, they cannot possibly predict every possible outcome, especially if you're matching wits against an equal. There comes a time in battle where your prediction or how you wormed out of something hits the Ridiculous Factor. I mean, its one thing to come prepared to fight a necromancer that has a fascination with zombies; shotgun, crowbar, and a few friends with a workable strategy will win out almost every time. Its another to come prepared for that necromancer who secretly took over a circus, and now you has demented clowns coming after you, their baggy clothing making most of your weapons useless, but aha! I have Zombie Clown Repellent in a bottle. Never leave home without it. Seriously folks, did you happen to lean back and read it as objectively as possible, or did you decide to disregard whether or not this was getting rather over the top? Sometime while clever, it elicits an "Aww, come on! LAAAAME!"; Ridiculousness 1, Brainpower 0. Finally...

-Common Sense dictates that:-Its ok and natural not to win
There are winners, and there are losers, but you are never, or rarely, either one all the time. You don't have to always win the battles to win the war, and sometimes cowards live, to quote a famous Decepticon. There is ALWAYS someone better than you out there, so take your defeat like a man and swallow some of that over-sized ego and pride you have been lugging around. There are just some things you cant do, places you cant go, people you cant influence or talk to; its a fact. You can get captured, you cant always escape, but sometimes you pull one out from under your opponent for the epic win. So take a chill pill, take hold of your limits, and realize that there are just some things out of reach. After all, were only human.

Appendix
Right, this is where I add things that I think very useful in regards for common sense, or other useful tools for keeping your characters and actions believable, and generally they will be links to other places. Below you will find a lots of more useful advice and tools:

Appendix #1: G-Modding Expansion Set
Godmoding is a collection of numerous offenses that all deal with unrealistic roleplaying. With an open-ended sandbox RPG like this one, it's very easy to find yourself falling into godmod trap with your character. This, however, is most certainly not allowed and can ruin the RPG for everyone else. While it should be obvious which rules are broken in each instance, when godmod happens it might be so blatant. There are indeed many forms of godmodding, but we have listed here only the top three types:

Invincibility: Your character and another player's character are fighting. If your character is either not taking hits or taking hits and having them not affect your character are both prime examples of invincibility and is the most well-known form of godmode (see Teflon and Logic sections above). This is not allowed under any circumstances as it is definitely not realistic role-playing.

Puppet master: Alright, same example as above. However, in your posts, you are taking control of your opponent's character and forcing them to take hits they might have dodged or perhaps act in a way that is out of character for them. This is "puppeteering" or acting as a "puppet master". This is godmodding and it happens quite a bit. Obtain permission from your opponent if you are going to do something like this.

Going super-saiyan: You are fighting an opponent that is vastly stronger and more experienced than you. He is beating the living daylights out of you. So what do you do? Rather than taking your defeat like a man or beating a retreat, you pull some sort of super-power-beam out of your butt. This is frowned upon though not outright banned if PERMISSION IS GRANTED FROM BOTH THE OPPONENT AND A GM. In some forms, yes, it is god-modding but if there you obtain permission and there is a price to be paid, go for it.

Appendix #2: Metagaming: In simple terms, using out-of-game information, or resources, to affect one's in-game decisions. Also known as: "Breaking the fourth wall"
The above sentence sums it up perfectly; its a term often used to describe players' use of assumed characteristics of the game. In particular, metagaming often refers to having a character act on knowledge that only the player has access to (for example: tricking a Medusa to stare at a mirror when the character has never even heard of the Medusa and should not be aware of their petrifying stare). For instance, a player might adjust his character's actions if the player has some foreknowledge of future events. Another one would be knowing names, abilities, powers, or locations without actually meeting someone, fighting that person, or having been at that location. Metagaming happens when players input information that they know into the game when their character has neither the right nor ability to know it. Sometimes it subtle, sometimes blatant, but this is why we have IC and OOC in RPing posts; to distinguish between player knowledge/speaking, and character knowledge/speaking. Such playing should be avoided at all costs, since it is both unrealistic and unfair.

Edited by Friar Tuck, Sep 26 2014 - 11:13 AM.

8

Living large... likeclown-shoesize large. Complete with nose, rainbow-coloredhair, and a bottle ofseltzer water.

This is where the news items will be indexed for easy reference. Keep an eye on this post to keep yourselves up-to-date on updates regarding gameplay and events inside the RPG. New updates are decorated. Included is a player-run set of updates called the Mata Nui Weekly, run by Kughii, Dr. O, Voxumo, and Canis Lycaon. You can find more information about it here.

Lavapool Inn Destroyed: An explosion has rocked one of the more fortified villages on Mata Nui today. Rubble and fighting now standing where the famous Lavapool Inn once stood. The Ta-Koro Guard was quickly dispatched and are securing the area now. Stay tuned for more updates.